Ottawa - Jordan Staal has seen the history of the Home Hardware Top Prospects Game. In fact, Staal’s family has already made history in the event. His older brothers Eric and Marc played in the annual event that puts 40 of the CHL’s top prospects for the NHL Draft together in one game.
Eric picked up an assist for Team Orr in the 2003 game in Kitchener while Marc suited up for Team Davidson in last year’s event in Vancouver.
You’d think that they would give their little brother a bit of advice before he left to play in the game this week in Ottawa. Not according to Jordan.
"They always say to go out and experience it yourself," said Jordan, who was the CHL’s top rated player in the NHL’s mid-term draft rankings released last week. "There’s not much they can really tell me - just go out and play your best.
Staal is a sophomore with the Peterborough Petes. He’s a sure-fire bet to become the third member of his family to be a first round of the NHL draft pick.
"You don’t try to think about those things," Staal admitted. "You just go out and try to play your best out there. Those ratings are just someone’s opinion and if someone really wants you - higher or lower, it doesn’t really matter. You just have to go out and play your best and hopefully I can keep those kinds of ratings.
Despite the lofty expectations, Staal is humble about the opportunity to play in the Top Prospects Game and is looking forward to the experience.
"It’s obviously a great honour to be here," Staal said on Monday "It’s been a lot of fun already and hopefully we can have a lot of fun during the game and show the NHL scouts what we’ve got."
